[gumby]

At the moment, I'm struggling a little with insomnia. Last night was particularly bad. I couldn't get to sleep at all and believe me, I tried everything. I did get a brief nap in for approx 30 mins that was broken once,but, that was at around 7:30am.

I haven't felt tired all day, a little weary, but, not zombie tired.

I have to work in the morning, my alarm goes off at 6:30am, so, my question is, what time should I go to bed?? Do I attempt to 'catch up' on some sleep and head to bed an hour or two or three earlier than normal, or, do I just aim for 8 hours??

I haven't had insomnia this bad in years, so, I can't remember whether catching up was good or bad...if it helps, I had one other night like this two weeks ago, but, didn't have to work the next day so just slept when I felt tired.

[~Flick~]

Are you thinking too much? This is usually a reason for insomnia. Too many things on your mind.

I had so much success with hypnotherapy (with a qualified GP). It is based on much the same idea as meditation, something I could never get into as I am not that way inclined. This was the next thing better than meditation.

[gumby]

Thats pretty much the gist of it Flick. Busy mind and everything I tried just didn't work, not even a little. I even watched a half an hour of the most boring infomercial I could find at 3am or so when getting desperate - Leimo Laser Hair thingamajig.

I am feeling tired now. But if I have a quick warm shower (always helps for me) and jump into bed I will get around 11 hours sleep, which I am worried will make me worse tomorrow. Or do I just go for it as I need to 'catch up' on sleep??

[~shelli~]

I reckon that if you feel tired and that you will sleep then have your shower and get to bed!

I have bouts of insomnia and getting to sleep is never my problem, it's staying asleep! I wake up anytime from about 11pm and don't get back to sleep. I've pretty much given up on trying, if I wake up I get up and do some work, watch TV or read a book. It's not uncommon for the Folding Washing Fairy or Tidy House Fairy to come in the middle of the night at our place

After a few weeks of little sleep I know I'll sleep well again for a couple of months until the next bout. I've never been able to relate it to stress, busy mind or anything. I don't know why it happens I've just learnt to live with it.

I just try to sleep when I'm tired and hope I stay asleep. Good luck

[~Flick~]

IMHO, watching TV and being online is a stimulus, no matter how boring. It stimulates your brain and does not let it go into "veg-out" mode.
I also read recently that tiredness (and readiness for sleep) comes in waves. If you don't give into it when you feel it, you are more likely to stay awake for longer.

[Guest_knit-knots_*]

Fellow insomnia sufferer here

I would go to bed as close to your normal sleep time as possible. Get ready for bed early so you can just get straight into bed as soon as the urge hits. They say don't nap etc. Going to bed early can muck your system up too.

[gumby]

Thansk Flick, as I said it was an old trick I pulled out in sheer desperation. It has worked once or twice in the past, so, thats why I gave it a whirl. At that stage, I was ready to try just about anything!!

Normally I try the relaxation method I was taught that I can actually get to work for me. It involves tensing and relaxing every part of your body and repeating in your mind the two different commands to your brain.

Then comes Milk, changing my pillows (swapping them with some of D's, lol), a herbal potion that is more miss than hit, getting D to massage my scalp (normally works within 5-10 mins tops), counting in my mind, imagining a black screen, and on and on. The problem lies for me in that if I stay in bed past a certain point, I am seething with rage that I can't get to sleep. Thats when I leave the room to try something else. Come back, repeat. It gets maddening after awhile.

Oh crap, I was just going to head to the shower and bed then I saw knit-knots post. I'm still in the zone where my racing thoughts have slowed right down and I know I am tired enough to get to sleep within 30 minutes of settling into bed.

[~Flick~]

Get ready for bed early so you can just get straight into bed as soon as the urge hits. They say don't nap etc. Going to bed early can muck your system up too.

That's exactly what I thought. That "urge" is important.

And I wanted to add that if you are suddenly tired during the day (and you have the opportunity to do so) have a 10 minute power nap. It makes so much difference!!

[Guest_Descentia_*]

I have terrible insomnia.

I read. It is the only way to get my head out of th edark places it crawls into.

The next day I just go to bed about midnight/1am as usual. I never try to catch up sleep.

[gumby]

I might just take my pillow in to work tomorrow, lol . I love the concept of power naps. I imagine I could dominate the world and be a super mother all by lunchtime if I could actually 'do' power naps. Instead, I can count on one hand the amount of power naps I've had in my life, simply as a power nap takes a long time for me. Up to an hour to drop off for a 10 minute rest doesn't deserve the title 'power nap' .



Thankyou Descentia, you just reminded me of another thing I do - Soduko. Normally by the time I'm on my third back of the book super dooper hard one, my eyes are fusing shut.

If I read a book, I tend to get engrossed then sit up until 3 or 4am reading said book

It seems that normal bedtime is the general consensus among us.

I just want to say thankyou for such quick and helpful responses